No deal yet reached on new employment contracts for police, fire unions

City commissioners and the police and fire unions still have not reached an agreement on new employment contracts for 2012.

The City Commission at its Tuesday meeting set a public hearing for Aug. 16, where commissioners will be presented with two contracts — one from the unions and one from city management. Commissioners then will hear “evidence” about which proposal is “more fair and equitable” based on the city’s finances, comparisons with employment plans for municipal workers in area cities and other factors.

The hearing is part of a formal process the city is required to go through when labor negotiations have officially been declared at an impasse. The city has not gone through the process recently because it has been able to reach a mutual agreement with the police and fire unions in past negotiations.

Under the terms of the process, it is still possible for the city and the unions to reach an agreement before the Aug. 16 hearing.

Typical nonsense response. The idea that public employees should suck up the hardship for the benefit of "taxpayers" is completely illogical.

First, public employees ARE taxpayers. They should not be penalized for choosing a line of work that happens to be tax-funded.

Second, YOU enjoy the services they provide; which range from police & fire protection to flush toilets. I assume you expect these services even during economic downturns.

Third, to force stagnation in compensation for public employees is in effect a targeted tax increase on only those employees. Meanwhile, YOU still enjoy your flush toilet at no additional charge.

Still don't like paying for the services you get? OK, here's a plan: We all pay as necessary for such luxuries as police and flush toilets. YOU, opt out of public services. Therefore, you can poop in a bucket beside your bed; and hope nobody burglarizes your house.

ps - anyone who chooses no taxes over police protection must also publish their address in the local paper, along with a list of valuables within the house. That will help lower the homeowners insurance burden for the rest of us.

Or better yet. Since you suggest I only call the cops every other incident etc... how about I get a nice big fat refund since I have never called nor been pulled over? I am starting to like this land you live in after all.

Actually you should pay more since it is clear you are benefiting from the security and safety their service provides you.

The reality is the PD are supporting a city that has had 33% population growth since 1990. Meanwhile the number of patrol officers on the department has not grown since 1999. Add to that the large population of individuals with mental health issues and the LPD is a very busy and underfunded department. The fact that you see so little impact from the increase in the population, area and demands placed on the PD by the community is a perfect testament as to why they deserve to be compensated appropriately.

DR said "automatic" raises. I for one am tired of every public employee getting a cost of living adjustment AND a merit raise.

I want to know how some of these people bettered themselves to be worth more merit pay. I have a hard time believing that everyone in a city does, yet there are frequently merit increases given across the board.